Alot Going On

I haven't been posting much lately--not because there hasn't been anything to post about, but because it's been crazy!

I told you the story about how we got the track cleats for Kayla, but I didn't tell you about the euphonium. Ty saw an online post for a euphonium for $50. It said it was in okay shape but had an air leak. That could mean almost anything. I was picturing either bad valves or a leak in the joints. But I decided to take a chance on it but asked if she'd take $40. She did, and I became the owner of a euphonium.

I took it to a music store to be evaluated. Turns out the only thing wrong with it is that it has the wrong mouthpiece. But it's playable anyway. So the twins are taking turns playing the instrument. One plays trombone and the other plays the euphonium. 

Kayla is on the soccer team. She and I made a contract. It basically says that if she wants to remain on the team she cannot steal, lie or skip her jobs. She must maintain a good attitude. On days she violates it, she doesn't go. The coach agrees with this. So some weeks she hardly goes. At her school there are very low expectations for students, and they get to play in the games even if they don't go to practice! I hope to move her to Kaleb's school next year. It's kind of in the middle between the charter school she was at with over zealous requirements and the title 1 school she's in now. They have not won any games yet. In fact, the game have been called on the mercy rule so far.

On the last post I asked you to vote on your favorite picture of Jasmine. The one below was the winner.

I have been making a lot of wreaths that I hope to sell. We will see what happens with that. Here are a few.

I hope to get some good pictures tomorrow to share next time.

First Concerts and the Dogs Meet Santa

Last week Kaleb had his first concert, and last night Kayla had her first concert. A world of difference between the two schools. Kaleb is in the best public school in the county. I tried to get Kayla in it when I needed to take her out of the charter school, but it was full. So she is in our zoned school, which is the worst middle school in the county. It really showed in everything from the school building to the kids to the parents.

I posted about Kaleb's concert last time, but I'm going to repost my favorite picture of him.

Kayla's concert was in the cafeteria which was not only not decorated, but it smelled strongly of vomit. It is badly in need of renovations. A few parents were dressed up, but many were in ratty clothes that didn't smell much better than the cafeteria. Even if you don't have dress clothes, you can be clean and neat, showered and hair combed!

A band director from another school came and played with the band to help them out.

We went to taco bell afterward.

Rick had a bit of bronchitis and Kaleb had a big case of sassy mouth, so neither were there. 

On Saturday we decided to take the dogs to Pet Smart for photos with Santa. I had Kayla and Jasmine with me, and River, who was staying with Hunter's dad and stepmom, met us there. The dogs had no problem with Santa after sniffing him thoroughly. River wanted nothing to do with him. But that was understandable.

We came out with okay photos.

Me with Sadie Rose.

Kayla with Caspian.

Jasmine with Travis.

All of us with Sasha

I took some cute pictures of River last night, but to avoid photo overload, I'll post those tomorrow.

Holiday Happenings

The past few days have been more exciting than normal. I'll share part today and part on Wednesday to avoid overload.

This week Kaleb had his first band concert. 

Trying to inconspicuously do a selfie during the concert! Jasmine and Kayla were there, but Ty got called in to work.

With his band director.

I really like this picture of him. I can't do an enlargement though because it's on my phone. My Nikon has been at the Nikon repair shop since October!!

Then we came back to the house to celebrate Adam's 21st adoption day with Chinese take out.

 Tyler had to work, and Jessica didn't show up until after we took the photos.

 They don't look much like twins anymore.

Jessica and Tara 

Adam and Kealen. Adam works really early.

This a video of Kaleb that won't post where I want it to.

On Friday Jessica and I took River to the kids' parade.

Saturday morning we had breakfast with Santa!

They took pictures and were supposed to post them, but they haven't yet, so this is what we have.

I hope to have better pictures to post on Wednesday along with some more activities! And hopefully my camera repairs will be done,and I won't have to depend on my phone for photos.

Not Going as Planned

We had a lot of Christmas activities planned, but we've skipped  most of them. All three kids have a lot of undone assignments that need made up. They also have tests to retake. For some reason our district has decided that test  scores must make up 95% of the grade. Thankfully along with that, most of the teachers are encouraging students to retake any tests that are below 70%. Last month I met with just one person for Jasmine's IEP update. No teachers came. We talked about how to get her grades up to passing. But in the weeks since then, it hasn't happened.

Last week I asked for a meeting with her teachers. That took place yesterday, and all but one teacher came. And I am actually very thankful that he didn't. He has no clue when it comes to Jasmine. He told her there was no reason she was flunking algebra again this year. If she'd just have a positive attitude she could do trig. Um. Yeah. Not so. He's not her math teacher, he's her band director--smart and was in all AP classes. Unfortunately Jasmine does not have the genetic gift for that. Then add in the other factors. Not happening. I will be very happy if she does her best and hopefully passes all the required classes.

Every single teacher said the same thing. She's a great kid. No problem in class. They look forward to seeing her every day. But she is not turning in any homework, projects or take-home tests. So we made a list of what has to be caught up.

I went to parent portal and made a similar list for the twins. Kaleb never bothered to complete his science project. He did the experiments, just didn't write it all up and turn it in with his abstract and charts. I gave up on trying to get him to do it and e-mailed his teacher. He has until Monday (two full weeks late) to do it or get an alternative assignment.

 "How does the length of a closed end tube effect pitch?"

So, no tree lighting, one concert on Sunday but skipped the one Monday night. Other things have come and gone. This is not the way I like to do things. But we have Kaleb's concert Thursday night, Jasmine marches in the kids' parade Friday during the school day, another tree lighting Friday night, (Jasmine is supposed to sing twice at a church but doesn't plan to. It's a county choir so no grade and not required), breakfast with Santa Saturday morning, boat parade Saturday evening, something else I can't remember.

On the up side, River is doing more and more each time I see her. I had lunch with her in the mall food court Monday and then she came over to stay with us for a few hours until Hunter was home from work.

At the mall. She's drinking water.

At the house with her new teddy bear.

Waiting for supper to be ready.

The Weekend

Rick, the kids and I rented a space at a flea market to sell stuff to help the twins with their mission trips and Jasmine with her choir trip. 

Then later that day was the big Christmas parade. I only stayed until Jasmine played. I get really, really, really bored at the Christmas parade. It's dark and every organization in town tried to take part. It runs two hours. I much prefer the daytime parades--Veteran's Day parade and the school parade which is coming up this Friday morning, and all the schools in the county bring their preschool and kindergarten classes.

Sunday night Jasmine had a Carols concert at a local church.

So our weekend was fairly busy.

Jessica, Hunter and River had an exciting week. They had planned to go to Gatlinburg, and of course that was on fire. So they decided spur of the moment to drive from the Florida panhandle to Colorado Springs. Jessica had wanted to give Hunter a white Christmas, so wish fulfilled.

Going up Pike's Peak

Love this picture of River

And on the way home they bought a brand new van! They traded in Jessica's car which was a 2014.

LOL Rick and I both drive 2007 vehicles. And I've only owned mine a year. I was driving an '01.